How much does a dentist make in Des Moines?
$209,300a year
Median yearly pay for dentists in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $100.63 an hour or $17,440 a month.
- Hourly
- $100.63
- Vs. national median
- +22%
- Rank among cities
- 33 of 316
- Jobs in the area
- 360
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $137,900Median: $209,300Highest 10%: $260,000
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $137,900 | $66.28 | |
| 25th | $175,000 | $84.13 | |
| Median | $209,300 | $100.63 | |
| 75th | $216,200 | $103.95 | |
| 90th | $260,000 | $125.00 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for dentists.
| Iowa City, IA | $199,400 |
| Sioux City, IA | $191,300 |
| Omaha, NE | $187,400 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $175,400 |
| Davenport, IA | $168,200 |
| Waterloo, IA | $163,600 |
| Dubuque, IA | $161,100 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $426,300 |
| Psychiatrist | $358,000 |
| Physician | $309,900 |
| Pediatrician | $271,200 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,200 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200 |
| Physician | $239,200 |
| Radiologist | $239,200 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $237,700 |
| Pharmacist | $141,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a dentist make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $100.63 ($209,300 a year).
Do dentists make more in Des Moines than the national average?
Yes: $209,300 against $171,000 nationally, 22% more.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $181,500, so Des Moines pays 15% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for dentist pay?
33 of 316 metro areas with data.
How much does a dentist make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $137,900 or less a year; the top 10% make $260,000 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.